Brands

Brands

Can I Swim With Contact Lenses?

Posted by
on
May 25, 2017

Warm heated swimming pools
are extremely inviting, even with it being almost winter, allowing us to
continue with our exercise routines or just generally have some fun. However if
you wear
contact lenses, you might be wondering if it’s okay to take the plunge with your
lenses in. After all, how will you see otherwise? Unfortunately this might not
be the best plan and here is why.

Why you shouldn’t wear contacts while swimming

It is recommended that contact lenses should not be exposed to any kind of water,
including tap water, swimming pools, oceans, lakes, hot tubs and showers.
Swimming with contact lenses can result in eye infections and more serious
conditions such as a corneal ulcer. This happens because microbes such as the
Acanthamoeba organism survive in the space between the contact lens and the
eye. Even after you take out and clean your lenses, the Acanthamoeba can still
infect your eyes even days later as it is resistant to most disinfecting
systems. Acanthamoeba keratitis, or inflamation of the cornea, is almost
exclusively associated with wearing contacts and can cause permanent vision
loss or require a corneal transplant to recover lost vision if not
treated early enough, in worst case scenarios.

But doesn’t a swimming pool have
chlorine which kills most bacteria?

Even
though many bacteria would be killed by the chlorine in most pools, it would
not kill them all. Plus, the chlorine itself could cause a problem as the
contact lenses could absorb the chemical and cause eye irritation. It may also
make your lenses difficult to remove, as soft lenses tend to tighten against
your eye.

Can
You Swim With Contact Lenses While Wearing Goggles?

If you're
going to swim while wearing contact lenses, the best way to reduce your risk of
eye irritation and infection is to wear waterproof swim goggles. In
addition to protecting your eyes from waterborne contaminants, swim goggles
reduce the risk of your contacts dislodging from your eyes. Prescription
swimming goggles however would be the best alternative. Prescription goggles
are custom-made to correct your refractive error, just like eyeglasses or
contact lenses, enabling you to see clearly underwater without any of the risks
associated with swimming with contacts.

Best way ahead?

It
is best to take your daily or
monthly contact
lenses
out before coming in contact with water, even before taking a
shower. If your vision is bad enough to need corrective lenses at all times, it
is likely time to invest in a good pair of prescription swimming goggles before
diving in. As an added bonus, these can also be made with UV protection to avoid
sun damage.

If you are looking for good quality, corrective
contact lenses online, please browse our available products or call
us on 0800 800 536.